7 reasons why kids love boating holidays

1. Explore their surroundings

As soon as kids get on board the narrowboat, they
check out every single nook and cranny. It’s like a great big floating den! For
many of our customers, it’s the first time the family has been on a boat, and the
kids love this new experience. Once you’re on your cruise, there are plenty of
places to explore along the canal: limekilns and other relics from the Industrial
Revolution, picnics spots, different types of bridges across the canal, sheep,
cows and wildlife in adjacent fields and children’s playgrounds in pretty
villages. Just moor up and take a look.

2. Walk the dog

Kids will offer to walk the dog along the towpath. It’s
close enough for parents to feel comfortable, while offering the kids that bit
of independence they crave. Dogs are welcome on all our boats and in our
cottages. With or without dogs, there are endless opportunities for family walks…along
the towpath, through the villages and up the mountains hunting for the next
geocache.

3. Help with the locks and
bridges

Kids love
getting hands on so, under supervision, they can help open and close the lock
gates and the lift bridges.

4. Do the chores

Most children, given half a chance, will help with chores
which they would most definitely avoid at home. With a little bit of help, they can get involved in
filling up the fresh water tank, steering the boat and mooring up.

5. Spot animals and wildlife

Eat breakfast on the deck and you’re likely to get
some ducks passing by, or birds on the towpath hoping for a breadcrumb or two. The
tree-lined towpath teems with birds, and you’ll often spot a dazzling
kingfisher overhead or a heron out searching for its next meal. Depending on
the season, you can see horses, cows, sheep and baby lambs in the fields
alongside the canal.

6. Plan the day’s adventure

Let the kids get involved with planning the route. Show
them the map of the canal and where you’re heading. They can keep a check on progress
by looking at the bridge numbers and spotting landmarks.

7. Enjoy fresh air and freedom

Best of all, on our boating holidays, kids are outside so much getting
physically involved in boating, that they’re bound to sleep well. Children (and dogs) are welcome on all our boats but some have the option of twin beds in the rear bedrooms. These are Eagle, Hawk, Hobby, Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine.